. All correct, Prince.

HAGEN. Very good! That's all. [CAL. exit.] They're all anxious about
London... I can see it! Ah, Gerald!

GER. [Enters, right.] Hello!

HAGEN. [Smiling.] You see, they came to my party!

GER. Yes.

HAGEN. They smile and chatter... they bow and cringe to me... and I have
not preached any of your Christian virtues, either!

GER. No. I grant it. It's a very painful sight. [After a pause.] That
was a pleasant fancy... to have a panic on the eve of your ball!

HAGEN. It wasn't nearly as bad as I meant it to be. Wait and see
today's!

GER. What's the end of it all?

HAGEN. The end? Why have an end? I didn't make this game... I play it
according to other men's rules. I buy and sell stocks, and make what
money I can. The end may take care of itself.

GER. It's rather hard on the helpless people, isn't it?

HAGEN. Humph! The people! [After a pause.] Gerald, this world of yours
has always seemed to me like a barrel full of rats. There's only room
for a certain number on top, and the rest must sweat for it till they
die.

GER. It's not a very pleasant image to think of.

HAGEN. I don't think of it. I simply happen to find myself on top, and I
stay there and enjoy the view. [Seats himself at table.] As a matter
of fact, Gerald, one of the things I intend to do with this world is to
clean it up. Don't imagine that I will tolerate such stupid waste as we
have at present... everybody trying to cheat everybody else, and nobody
to keep the streets clean. It's as if a dozen mere should go out into a
field to catch a horse, and spend all their time in trying to keep each
other from catching it. When I take charge they'll catch the horse.

GER. [Drily.] And you'll ride him.

HAGEN. And I'll ride him. [Laughs.]

GER. [After a pause.] At first I couldn't make out why you bothered with
this Society game. Now I begin to understand. You wanted to see them!

HAGEN. I wanted to watch them wriggle! I wanted to take them, one by
one, and strip off their shams! Take that fellow Rutherford, the steel
man! Or Plimpton, the coal baron, casting his eyes up to heaven, and
singing psalms through his nose! The instant I laid eyes on that whining
old hypocrite, I hated him; and I vowed I'd never rest again till I'd
shown him as he is... a coward and a knave! And I tell you, Gerald,
before I get through with him... Ah, there he is!

PLIM. [Off.] Hello, Isman!

HAGEN. Come. [Draws back with GERALD.]

IS. [Ente